Situated at the top of the Bergen peninsula, Fløyen is a mountain perfectly positioned to afford a sweeping panorama of the city as well as its surrounding fjords and dramatic sea approaches. And for almost a century, the easiest way to get to the top of Fløyen has been the funicular known simply as Fløibanen.

First proposed in 1895, construction of Fløibanen started in 1914 and operation commenced on January 15, 1918. Carrying passengers from Bergen city center to the peak of Fløyen (with three additional station stops in between), Fløibanen ascends 300 meters (984 feet) over a total track length of 850 meters (2789 feet). Aside from one passing loop located between the third and fourth stations, the cars run along the same single track for the duration of the climb.

The two counterbalanced cars each accommodate approximately 80 passengers and take roughly seven minutes to traverse the length of the track. The summit provides visitors with not only picturesque vistas, but also playgrounds and ample hiking opportunities. The cars and machinery of Fløibanen were fully replaced in 2002, and (in admirably forward-looking Nordic fashion) are slated to be renewed again in 2030.

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of Atlas Obscura in your inbox.

Stay in Touch!

No purchase necessary. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2019. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Offer subject to change without notice. See contest rules for full details.

Add Some Wonder to Your Inbox

Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you.

We'd Like You to Like Us

We value your privacy

Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our privacy policy.